It is also in this movie that she really felt beautiful, thanks to her costume.

"Thank you sa DOP [director of photography] namin, sa director naming si Mac Alejandre, 'tsaka kay Rico G. [Gutierrez] for the special effects. Thank you so much dahil maganda pala ako. Akala ko dati, parang hindi. Kasi sa trailer, parang puro beauty shots. Sabi ko, 'Wow!'"

SUMMING UP 2009. For Iza, 2009 is just about like other past years.

"I think the beginning of the year was pretty slow, but it picked up right after my birthday [August 12]. Kasi, I mean, I had All About Eve, pero I had a movie that was shown in the first part of the year [Bente] wherein I only had few shots. But then after that, nagtuloy-tuloy, which is, a lot of times, it has happened to me.

"I would describe it as, career-wise, very fulfilling. Kasi, oo, ang dami ko talagang [projects]... soap, movie, endorsements, pageant, rock awards... I went from glamorous to rock, which is like my dream. It was my dream to host NU Rock Awards. It wasn't even my dream to host Binibining Pilipinas, kasi dati, nung araw, nag-a-attend ako ng rock awards."

Is her interest in rock music the influence of her boyfriend, Atticus King, who is a rocker himself?

Iza could only give sparkles in her eyes and a wide, sweet smile as her answer. Atticus played guitar and wrote rock songs for a band called King Antares.

Of the many major events in 2009, what's the most memorable for her, if she's going to look back to this year in the future?

"Ang dami! Si Michael Jackson namatay. Isa pa lang 'yan. The Ondoy thing, the fear of the rains," Iza said. "Di ba, parang bigla na lang, si Ondoy, parang yung dating, di ba, sobrang, 'Ayan na 'yung bagyo!' Samantalang dati... siguro yun ang mali din, e, masyado tayong naging kampante noon, na parang 'Bagyo, hay naku, ang dami nang bagyo!' I guess it's always good to prepare so that when things like this happen, we'll be ready."

She added that she cannot forget the Maguindanao Massacre.

"It's carnage. I cannot believe that people are capable of doing these things, all for power. But then that's when you realize how power can turn any individual into a monster."

What is she most thankful for in 2009?

"Moving into my new home. That's really the best thing that's happened to me. Even if, you know, I had to work doubly hard for it and I had to sacrifice certain things, at least I have an investment in the long run," answered Iza.

She added, "Of course, you know, I'm glad I found somebody... But if there's one thing I'm most thankful for, it's that my dad is still with me, and my brother, 'cause my dad got sick several times. Please, if you see Lito Calzado smoking or eating bad stuff, please stop him, 'cause he likes to make daya! Mawalan ka ng isang guesting, mawalan ka ng isang project, alam mong makaka-recover ka. Pero ang mawalan ka ng pamilya, it's different."

EXPECTING BETTER IN 2010. As far as projects for next year are concerned, expect Iza to be fulfilling more of her dreams.